The guards released me and followed him out. For a long moment, no one moved. We remained frozen in our seats for almost ten minutes before reality slowly returned to the room.
History was the class scheduled just before lunch break, and I already knew what was coming next. Most of the students had taken videos of what the crown prince had done. By the end of lunch, Crestwood would be buzzing. By nightfall, the entire Capital would know.
When the bell rang, we all filed outside, expecting the usual break-time chaos. Instead, we stopped short.
Royal guards.
Hundreds of them.
They were stationed everywhere, blocking every exit, every gate, every corridor leading out of the academy grounds. My chest tightened. These were not ordinary guards. They were members of the Imperial Guard, soldiers who never left the palace unless the royal family was facing a serious threat.
Whispers spread quickly through the crowd.
Before anyone could ask questions, a woman stepped onto the podium outside. She wore a flowing scarlet robe, her posture straight, her presence commanding without effort. I recognized her immediately.
The head maid of the royal family.
Her voice carried easily across the courtyard. "All students from the history class, step forward."
A heavy silence followed. Then, slowly, we moved. Every single one of us gathered near the podium, confusion and unease written across our faces.
The woman stepped down and smiled, warm but measured. "It is a pleasure to meet the eligible senior students of Crestwood Academy. In the coming years, many of you will become important figures, people whose actions will shape the goodwill of this country and the royal family."
Her words sounded polite. Almost reassuring.
Almost.
She gestured for us to stretch out our hands. One by one, we obeyed. She moved down the line, placing her hand over each student's palm and asking for their name.
And every time she did, I noticed something unsettling.
Her eyes changed Color.
Just for a moment. Subtle, but unmistakable.
I swallowed hard as she moved closer.
Whatever was happening, this had nothing to do with lunch break.